The Retail Insured Family Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), the country’s largest community of insurance consumers, has praised the Commissioner for Insurance, Olusegun Omosehin, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for their recent efforts to enforce mandatory third-party insurance.
RIFAN’s major aim is to restore public confidence in insurance policies.
This commendation follows a meeting on June 11, 2024, where Omosehin visited Egbetokun at Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters in Abuja to discuss the enforcement of compulsory third-party insurance.
Omosehin highlighted the illegality of driving without valid motor insurance and announced that the benefits attached to third-party insurance have increased to N3 million.
Responding to Omosehin’s request, Egbetokun committed to deploying the Deputy Inspector General of Operations to ensure the enforcement of this mandate.
RIFAN’s Director General, Ali Theophilus, expressed support for this initiative and indicated RIFAN’s readiness to collaborate on enforcement and public awareness.
He emphasised that proper enforcement could significantly boost premium income for the insurance industry, facilitating easier claims payments and enhancing public confidence in insurance.
He said getting the enforcement done is also in line with the Road Traffic Act for any vehicle plying Nigerian roads to have 3rd party motor insurance.
Theophilus commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for his proactive steps towards enforcing third-party motor insurance and urged him to extend this message of hope to all police officers and relevant law enforcement agents.
He emphasised that third-party insurance benefits every vehicle user, including law enforcement personnel, regardless of their career or social status.
He pointed out that many law enforcement officers neglect this insurance under the guise of “Esprit de Corps,” which does not cover damages in the event of an accident. This negligence costs the insurance industry over N15 billion annually, which could otherwise be added to premiums to facilitate claim payments.
Theophilus reiterated the importance of third-party insurance, explaining that while it does not cover personal vehicle damage directly, it covers damages caused to other vehicles due to negligence. This coverage can help settle such claims, benefiting all parties involved.
Furthermore, Theophilus urged the IGP to enforce licensing for insurance agents through an initiative he called “Operation Show Your Licence.” This would reduce the prevalence of fake agents and help NAICOM reach its goal of increasing licensed insurance agents to three million by the end of the year.
He called on the Nigeria Police Force and all law enforcement agents to join RIFAN to unite in restoring public confidence in the insurance industry. He stated RIFAN membership benefits, including easy access to claims payments, unique insurance covers, and professional advice etc.
Theophilus also announced plans to collaborate with underwriters to create a funeral insurance policy as an additional membership benefit, particularly in Southern Nigeria, where funeral expenses are significant. RIFAN plans to hold town hall meetings to educate grassroots communities about the importance of insurance.
Theophilus called on the IGP, law enforcement agencies, the Commissioner for Insurance, the Director General of NIA, and underwriters to register with RIFAN to help build the insurance industry of Nigeria’s dreams and restore public confidence in insurance.